Restaurants are listed alphabetically.
AMERICAN
Masterpiece Deli
1575 Central St. (at 16th Street), 303-561-3354,
(Very Good) Sandwiches $8-$10.50; breakfast sandwiches $4.75 and up. Denver’s sandwich scene took a quantum leap with the opening of Masterpiece Deli, just a block down the hill from Lola in the Lower Highlands neighborhood. Top-shelf ingredients and preparation make the common-sounding sandwiches (Reuben, egg salad) uncommon. Last reviewed April 2009.
Max Gill and Grill
1053 S. Gaylord St., 303-722-7456,
(Very Good) Appetizers $9-$14; mains $9-$25. Fish freaks and
meat heads come together at this surf-and-turf restaurant on Old
South Gaylord. One of Denver’s best lobster rolls, and a decent filet of beef. Last reviewed November 2008.
Palettes
At the Denver Art Museum (North Building), 100 W. 14th Ave Parkway, 303-534-1455,
(Very good/Great) Appetizers $8-14. Entrees $10-17. Dinner: Appetizers $8-14. Entrees $16-29. Take the afternoon off for an art-viewing session followed by a languorous meal at this Kevin Taylor lunch spot. Choose a salad, a piece of fish, and a glass (or two) of wine. Last reviewed March 2010.
Root Down
1600 W. 33rd Ave., 303-993-4200,
(Very Good/Great) Plates $7-$22, with most around $9-$11. An eclectic menu of innovative, flavorful small dishes (many of which are vegetarian) drives this forward-thinking eatery and watering hole, fashioned from a reclaimed garage. Last reviewed March 2009.
Shazz
4262 Lowell Blvd., 303-477-1407,
(Very Good/Great) Appetizers $7-$11; mains $24-$35. Chef Benny Kaplan is one of Denver’s best, and his commitment to locally sourced, sustainable food is commendable. Don’t miss the braised oxtail appetizer, served over asiago grits, and don’t miss a few minutes at the bar for a signature cocktail mixed with house- made ingredients such as grenadine and orgeat. Last reviewed April 2009.
Steakhouse Ten
3517 S. Elati St., Englewood, 303-789-0911,
(Very Good) Entrees $22-34. Cozy clubby little steakhouse in Englewood gets the heat right every time: Rare is rare and medium is medium. The vibe here is just right for quiet tête-u-têtes and private dinners. Greek specialties round out the menu. Open for lunch, too. Last reviewed May 2009.
Twelve
2233 Larimer St., 303-293-0287,
(Great/Exceptional) Entrees $22-$28. Wedged into a tiny storefront in the northern reaches of LoDo, this newcomer changes its menu monthly — 12 times a year. So don’t get attached to a favorite dish. Instead, have your socks knocked off by chef Jeff Osaka’s brilliant technical skills and instinctive flavor-play. Last reviewed February 2009.
EUROPEAN
Bistro One
1294 S. Broadway, 720-974-0602,
(Very Good) Appetizers $5-$9; mains $14-$22. Smart cocktails start supper at this contemporary neighborhood bistro, where standard bistro fare (steak frites) shares menu space with more innovative dishes. Clever cocktails and a small, user-friendly wine list round out the experience. Last reviewed December 2008.
Brasserie Felix
3901 Tennyson St., 303-953-2401,
(Very good) Appetizers $5.95-$12.95, mains $14.95-$20.95. A very good example of the Americanized French Brasserie, with accessible and relevant fare like steak frites, mussels and croque monsieurs. Small but serviceable wine list. Great sunny room looks even better at lunchtime. Last reviewed April 2009.
Farro
8230 S. Holly St., 303-694-5432,
(Very Good) Almost nothing over $15. The southern suburbs are awash in restaurants, but precious few of them are any good. Enter Farro, at the corner of Holly Street and County Line Road, which serves homey, substantial fare with a casual-elegant twist. Good wine list, too. Last reviewed February 2009.
Indulge French Bistro
4140 W. 38th Ave., 303-433-7400,
(Very good/Great) Appetizers $6.50-16. Entrees $16-$28. This small, hospitably operated bistro in north Denver changes its menu frequently, but you can always count on a well- executed steak frites, an inexpensive glass of house wine, and a cheery welcome. Tip for seasonal eaters: Order seafood; it’s almost always nicely prepared here. Last reviewed May 2009.
Ondo’s Tapas Bar
250 Steele St., 303-975-6514,
(Very good) Tapas $6-16. One flight down from street level, this cheery and comfortable tapas bar features smart takes on San Sebastian and Barcelona favorites. Come with a small group, or even better, on a date. And sit, if possible, at the bar. Last reviewed March 2010.
ASIAN
Den Deli
1501 S. Pearl St., Denver, 303-733-2503,
(Very good) Noodle bowls, $9.95 and up. Sandwiches, $9.95 and up. Ramen has arrived in Platt Park neighborhood with this casual new branch of the Den (Sushi Den, Izakaya Den) family. Choose a noodle bowl and seaweed salad; your sandwich- loving companion can have a French dip instead. Last reviewed March 2010.
India’s Pearl
1475 S. Pearl St., 303-777-1533
(Very Good/Great) Starters $3.95-$9.95; entrees $10.95-$24.95. Surprised that an Indian restaurant would have such an expansive wine list? Don’t be. India’s Pearl proves that Indian food pairs beautifully with wines of all hues. Last reviewed October 2008.
Taste of Thailand
504 E. Hampden Ave, Englewood, 303-762-9112
(Very Good) Nothing over $15. Every neighborhood has at least one Thai restaurant, but not every neighborhood has one as good as Englewood’s Taste of Thailand. Fresh, tasty dishes are assembled with a light hand, and spice is applied with precision. Lunch specials every day, perfect for Swedish Medical Center employees across the street. Last reviewed March 2008.
CARIBBEAN
Eight Rivers Lodo
1550 Blake St., 303-623-3422,
(Very Good) Appetizers $7-$13; mains $15-$19. Denver’s very best rum list anchors this downtown homage to Jamaican cuisine. Think jerk chicken, jerk pork, jerk steak and a beautifully rich-spicy oxtail stew. Happy hour on weekdays. Last reviewed December 2008.
LATIN
Limon
1618 E. 17th Ave., 303-322-0898,
(Very Good/Great) Entrees mostly under $20. Set on a hopping strip of East 17th Avenue, Limon serves innovative, contemporary Peruvian food and classic, refreshing cocktails, most notably traditional pisco sours. Come at happy hour for the best deals or later for a quieter dinner. Last reviewed February 2008.
PIZZA
McKinners Pizza Bar
2389 W. Main St., Littleton, 303-798-8500,
(Very Good) Pizzas $9.25 and up; salads $6.25-$9. Downtown Littleton is one of the area’s most pleasant town strips, studded with boutiques and wine shops and restaurants and, happily, McKinners, a favorite watering hole, pizza joint and gathering place. Last reviewed March 2009.
Virgilio’s
7986 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, 303-985-2777
(Very Good) Pizzas (14- or 18-inch) $8.99-$19.49; appetizers and sides $1.99-$8.99. Don’t fill up on garlic knots, because you’ll need room for pizza. Crusts are buttery, salty and nicely cooked. Toppings are straightforward and simple, particularly the Mama’s Favorite (shaved sausage, red onion, garlic). Gluten-free menu too. Last reviewed April 2006.
Our star system:
: Exceptional
: Great
: Very good
: Good
